Chapter 53

[Rare Material: 'Scorching Charcoal' from the Oak Forest]

[Description: This high-quality charcoal is produced from burning oak wood and is said to purify water and air.]

[Effect: When held by a Pokémon, Fire-type moves increase in power by 20%.]

[Unique Effect: Fire-type moves gain an additional 15% power boost. When held for an extended period by a Fire-type Pokémon, its Fire-type energy gradually increases, unlocking its latent potential.]

[Acquisition Craft: Flame Forging Craft (B-): A forging technique that utilizes various attribute materials. Items created using this technique significantly enhance Fire, Steel, and Psychic-type Pokémon.]

"Oh, I unlocked 'Forging'!"

With this, the forge in the workshop can now operate year-round! Pottery firing, glassmaking, metal forging!

And not just for obtaining materials.

『A craft has been completed!』

『Gained Knowledge: Accelerated Firing – Increases the speed of fired item production by 15%.』

The effect of the craftwork matches what was described under rare materials. Scorching Charcoal—Hikaru vaguely recalls that this item exists in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, appearing as pitch-black charcoal with flames bursting out from its cracks.

Afterward, Hikaru received a random material clue:

[Material: Leftovers]

[Acquisition Locations: The orchard in the workshop, deep within the Kamiyako Forest, the Nameless Grove, carried by Hisui's mischievous Voltorb.]

[Corresponding Craft: Unique Leftovers Processing.]

"Huh?"

Hikaru was momentarily stunned.

While many items function both as battle tools and natural materials, he never expected something as simple as Leftovers to have its own craft. And… it actually exists in the real Pokémon world?

Isn't this just a bunch of half-eaten berries left behind by Pokémon?

Normally, consuming it in battle gradually restores HP. But thinking about it, if a Pokémon carries a whole berry, eats part of it during battle, but doesn't finish it, wouldn't that mean it can benefit from both 'berry healing' and 'Leftovers healing' at the same time?

"If a Pokémon holds a large Sitrus Berry, takes a bite to restore HP in a critical moment, and then slowly eats the rest, wouldn't that be broken? Just one bite of Leftovers restores a quarter of its HP!"

It was a joke, but the more Hikaru thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

"Speaking of which, the 'Leftovers Processing Craft'—is it just mixing leftover berries together?"

Like making berry juice?

Maybe it doesn't need to be strictly represented as a single half-eaten apple core, like in the games.

If turned into juice, it should be called 'Leftover Berry Juice,' and each sip would restore one-sixteenth of HP.

"Could the Nameless Grove be the original habitat of Petilil and its kind? Usually, Leftovers are held by Munchlax and Snorlax, but it's listed as being carried by Hisui's mischievous Voltorb… That's suspicious."

On June 29th, under clear skies, the roar of a Charizard echoed from the distant horizon as Hikaru finished his last sculpture.

"All orders are complete!"

Exhausted, Hikaru sat at the workshop entrance, with Doublade and Petilil leaning against him. They had worked hard too!

『Doublade has completed its work! Gained experience and growth!』

『Gained Knowledge: Fluid Carving – Increases the attack speed of cutting moves by 15%.』

『Learned Move: Pursuit!』

『Petilil has completed its work! Gained experience and growth!』

『Gained Knowledge: Rock-Breaking Power – Increases both Attack and Special Attack by 10%.』

『Learned Move: Grass Knot!』

Both pieces of knowledge were obtained through repeated labor. From Hikaru's perspective, their effects were quite valuable!

...

With a thundering impact, Charizard landed, breathing heavily. For once, it didn't greet him with its usual roar. Instead, it stared at Hikaru and the two Pokémon, as if it wanted to complain, but held back!

Ah, even the customer seems exhausted!

"Roar~"

Hikaru: "You want to say something?"

Charizard: "…"

It had so much to say!

Why does this remote area have so many delivery orders?! Flying back and forth is exhausting, you know!

"Hah, you're definitely thinking something rude."

Hikaru could read its expression easily. No need to guess—it was obviously due to the recent increase in orders.

"Next time, you guys might need to send more Pokémon to pick up shipments. Having only one is too tiring."

"Oh right, I'll make you some herbal berry juice. It's not bitter at all and tastes great."

After returning indoors, Hikaru prepared some herbal berry juice.

Doublade and Petilil drank it and immediately regained their energy!

Charizard scratched its head. Initially, it was wary of eating anything that might upset its stomach and disrupt its work. But seeing how happy the other Pokémon were after drinking it…

Maybe… it should try?

Hesitantly, Charizard accepted a cup and downed it in one gulp.

"Roar~!"

A refreshing sensation spread from its throat to its entire body, even clearing its mind!

This tastes amazing!

Oh, power! Energy is surging back!

"Roar!"

Seeing Charizard's excitement, Hikaru grinned. "I've been observing you. Since you're so dedicated to work, I guessed your nature must be 'Hardy.' That nature doesn't increase or decrease any stat, and it lets you tolerate all flavors."

"Good, right? This is my exclusive product. You can only get it here!"

Charizard licked its lips, glancing at the now-empty cup, then at Hikaru, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Want another cup? No problem."

Just as Hikaru was about to head back inside, Charizard spoke up. It first praised the 'wood carving' from last time, saying that after following Hikaru's guidance and channeling its power into the carving, its flight speed had dramatically improved!

Dude, your items are insane!

Now, in all of Smokemoor City, this Charizard was the fastest! Its coworkers were stunned!

"Haha, glad I could help. So, did you finally beat that Dragonite?"

Hikaru asked, but Charizard let out a deep sigh, shook its head, and pointed at the sky.

A dark silhouette appeared high above, rapidly diving down!

"Whooo~"

A round belly, tiny whiskers, dainty little wings, a chubby tail, and an adorable face!

It was Charizard's coworker—Dragonite, the express delivery Pokémon from the Johto region!

Ah, so it used 'Extreme Speed.'

Still can't outmatch it, huh?

The second Dragonite had arrived—likely to assist Charizard with deliveries!

Hikaru patted Charizard reassuringly before turning to the chubby Dragonite.

"Do customers get head pats?"

"Whooo~" Dragonite eagerly moved forward, embracing Hikaru. In an instant, he felt completely relaxed from its soft, cushiony body.

No wonder Dragonite outperforms Charizard at work.

Just look at how friendly it is! Charizard, on the other hand, acts all cool and aloof. Sure, it's diligent, but in the end, people prefer someone both competent and warm like Dragonite!

"Roar~!"

Charizard glared at Dragonite's enthusiasm, clearly displeased!

That's my client! Why are you getting all cuddly with my client?!

"Roar!"

Charizard nudged Dragonite, signaling it to keep some distance. But instead of getting upset, Dragonite turned around and hugged Charizard, even patting its back.

Faced with such an affectionate dragon, Charizard quickly lost its temper, folding its arms with an aloof expression.

Petilil and Doublade had never seen Dragonite before, and it cheerfully picked them up too!

"Wow!" Petilil wiggled its leaves, clearly delighted. Dragonite's body was strange—it had tiny, nearly invisible dragon scales, but it wasn't rough at all. Instead, it was super soft!

"Yoop~"

Even Doublade twitched its scabbard happily. Dragonite's hug was truly pleasant.

Too friendly!

"Alright, I'll leave these shipments to you guys!"

Hikaru handed out more berry juice to Dragonite, which drank it and showed a delighted expression.

"Whooo~!"

Seeing its satisfaction, Hikaru glanced at Charizard, who was standing there pretending to be indifferent. He smiled at Dragonite and said:

"Charizard actually saved this for you."

"Whoo~?"

Dragonite turned to look at Charizard, who simply huffed.

Fine. You're my coworker and friend—I guess I can share good stuff with you.

Dragonite happily hugged Charizard again.

Thus, the affectionate Dragonite and the tsundere hardworking Charizard made the perfect delivery duo—just like protagonists and rivals in a manga!

"The natural airheaded, affectionate Dragonite and the tsundere, hardworking Charizard… This is just like a manga protagonist and rival duo!"

Hikaru silently made a mental note. Meanwhile, Charizard crossed its arms, signaling to Dragonite that since the juice was finished, it was time to get to work.

"Roar roar!"

Charizard pushed Dragonite away, grabbed the shipments, and flapped its wings to take off into the sky!

"Whoo~" Dragonite waved its tail at Hikaru as a farewell. However, before leaving, it suddenly seemed to remember something. It rummaged through the pouch it carried and handed something to Hikaru.

"Whooo~"

"This is…?"

Hikaru took the gift, which turned out to be a 'Golden Leaf' and a 'Silver Leaf'!

[Precious Material: Shining Leaves (Two Types)!]

[Description: A mysterious golden leaf. No tree has been found to naturally produce such leaves.]

[Description: A mysterious silver leaf. No tree has been found to naturally produce such leaves.]

『Gained Knowledge: +2』

[Leaf Mutation: Any trees or grass you cultivate have a 10% chance of growing multiple golden or silver leaves.]

[Mysterious Inscription: A form of hidden knowledge. By following its content and applying the corresponding mystical craftsmanship, one can create exceptionally unique items. It is also possible to engrave secret inscriptions onto designated facilities to place seals (requires one of the following powers: Psychic, Spiritual Energy, or Aura).]

『Gained Craft: +1』

[Mystic Token Crafting (A): A technique that utilizes Pokémon materials, natural materials, and special leaves to create unique certificates! Using special leaves, the corresponding certificates can gain unique abilities.]

[Crafting tickets with these inscriptions allows access to certain special locations (requires the correct inscription technique).]

[Craftable Items: 'Weakness Policy (Silver),' 'Evasion Policy (Gold).']

(End of Chapter)

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